2. Shroud of the Avatar
Platforms: PC Release: March 27, 2018, Payment model: Now Free2Play Website: Website of Shroud of the Avatar
What is Shroud of the Avatar? Shroud of the Avatar (SotA) was originally supposed to be a selective multiplayer role-playing game where you could decide whether to play alone like in a single-player RPG, cooperatively with friends, or in an MMORPG world with strangers. Ultima creator Richard Garriott, also known as Lord British, is behind the game.
The concept has since changed. SotA is now a classic sandbox MMORPG, which also offers an optional story. Housing, character enhancement, and group play take precedence. You enjoy many freedoms in the vast world and can decide what you want to do.
How did the crowdfunding campaign go? The crowdfunding campaign was successfully completed in April 2013 with $ 1,919,275. Through an ongoing crowdfunding campaign on the game’s website, a total of $ 12,658,636 has been raised. This makes it one of the financially most successful crowdfunded online games to date.
How is the game doing today? Shroud of the Avatar continues to run. However, the player numbers are very low. The developer studio Portalarium was taken over by Catnip Games, but the same team still works on the MMORPG. Former CEO Richard Garriott has long since stepped down, but continues to develop as a designer for upcoming episodes.
Shroud of the Avatar has a small but loyal fan base, but the wider audience has little interest in the MMORPG.
1. Star Citizen
Platforms: PC Release: Unknown Payment model: Unknown, probably Buy2Play Website: Website of Star Citizen
What is Star Citizen? In Star Citizen, you are in an MMO where you can freely explore multiple star systems and forge your own path. You can be a trader, smuggler, or pirate and always try to buy better ships. Some of them you fly alone, while others require a crew.
In addition to space battles, you can expect firefights on planets, explore distant worlds, take on contracts, team up with other players, or go after the bounties on criminals. The MMO Star Citizen aims to give you a kind of second life in space.
How did the crowdfunding campaign go? Star Citizen was initially funded through Kickstarter. It raised $ 2,134,374 by the end of 2012. Through the sale of alpha access and especially virtual spaceships, the crowdfunding sum has now risen to over $ 350,000,000. And it is far from over.
How is the game doing today? A release of the space MMO Star Citizen is still not in sight. The game is still in alpha. The beta of the single-player offshoot Squadron 42 planned for 2020 has now been postponed indefinitely.
The Alpha of Star Citizen is already playable in parts, but the developers at Cloud Imperium Games still have a lot of work ahead before we can expect a complete and polished MMO.
